CVE-2017-13299 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A other vulnerability in the Android media framework (libavc). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-70897394.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13299 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libavc library responsible for video decoding operations. This flaw exists in multiple Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking during the processing of H.264 video streams, allowing maliciously crafted media files to trigger memory corruption when decoded by the affected system components. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the video decoding process where the libavc library fails to properly validate the size of incoming video data structures before attempting to copy data into fixed-size heap buffers. When an attacker crafts a specially formatted H.264 video file with oversized or malformed data elements, the decoder attempts to write beyond the allocated memory boundaries, resulting in heap corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the media framework process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal media playback operations, making it accessible to attackers who can deliver malicious media content via email attachments, messaging applications, or web downloads. This exploit vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation through local system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13299 extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a significant threat to Android device security and user privacy. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain persistent access to devices, extract sensitive user data, monitor communications, and potentially establish backdoors for further malicious activities. The vulnerability's prevalence across multiple Android versions means that a substantial portion of the mobile device population remains at risk, particularly in enterprise environments where older Android versions may still be in use. Organizations and individual users face the challenge of patch management, as the vulnerability requires immediate system updates to remediate the issue. The affected media framework components are integral to Android's multimedia functionality, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for devices that frequently process external media content, including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that rely on standard video playback capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13299 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, which address the underlying buffer overflow conditions in the libavc library. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected Android devices to the latest security patches released by Google, particularly those addressing the Android ID A-70897394. Additional protective measures include implementing mobile device management policies that restrict media file downloads from untrusted sources, enabling automatic security updates where possible, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious media file transfers. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and content filtering to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious media files through email systems, web browsers, and messaging applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and demonstrates the critical need for continuous security assessment of core system components that handle external data processing. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual media processing activities and verification of media file integrity through digital signatures or checksum validation before playback.